Bodiam Castle and River Rother Walk
East Sussex
This dog friendly walk circles the picture-perfect Bodiam Castle, a fairy-tale moated fortress run by the National Trust, then heads out along the broad fields beside the River Rother on its slow Wealden meanders to Salehurst church, with quiet lanes and copses making up the inland half of the loop. The High Weald rolls gently with views back to the castle from several points, and bluebells line the wooded sections in spring.
Dogs are welcome on short leads in all the outdoor areas at Bodiam Castle except inside the castle itself and on the wooden bridge across the moat, and they are also welcome in the Wharf Tea Room and Castle View Cafe. Out on the wider walk, leads are needed wherever sheep are grazing in the Rother fields and along the lanes. The walk is mostly flat and an easy day, with low stiles and a few muddy gateways after rain. Parking is at the National Trust car park, free for members and £5 for non-members.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.0 km (5.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- River, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Wharf Tea Room and Castle View Cafe (both dog friendly outside), toilets and shop at Bodiam Castle; pub at the Castle Inn nearby.
- Parking
- National Trust pay and display at Bodiam Castle (TN32 5UA), free for members, £5 for non-members.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bodiam Castle and River Rother Walk dog friendly?
Yes, this is a well-suited walk for dogs, earning a 7/10 dog friendly rating. Dogs are welcome throughout the outdoor areas of Bodiam Castle (run by the National Trust) and on the wider loop through riverside fields and farmland, and they're also allowed inside both the Wharf Tea Room and the Castle View Cafe.
Can dogs be off lead at Bodiam Castle and River Rother Walk?
Dogs need to be on a short lead in all outdoor areas of Bodiam Castle, and they're not permitted inside the castle itself or on the wooden bridge across the moat. Out on the wider walk, leads are required wherever sheep are grazing in the Rother fields and along the lanes, so it's worth keeping one to hand throughout.
What should I know before visiting Bodiam Castle and River Rother Walk with my dog?
The walk is mostly flat and manageable, with low stiles and only a few muddy gateways to contend with after rain, making it a fairly easy day out. Parking is at the National Trust car park at TN32 5UA — free for NT members and £5 for non-members — and there are toilets, a shop, and two dog-friendly cafes on site, so you're well catered for at the start and end of the route.
What’s Nearby?
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